How to treat thick hard skin?

Thick hard skin does not always need to be treated. The extra skin layers are there to protect the foot and if it is not painful or uncomfortable then there may not be a reason to treat it. However the appearance of thick hard skin can be unpleasant and so some people will choose to remove the thick hard skin for cosmetic reasons.

There are a number of ways to remove thick hard skin.

Physically removing the extra layers of thick hard skin is a common approach. This can be done using a foot file or a specially designed removal device. Some people will find that soaking or wetting the skin will help to remove it, others prefer to remove dry skin; both types of treatment can be successful.

A podiatrist may remove thick hard skin with a scalpel but this should not be carried out at home because there is a risk of injury.

The removal of thick hard skin can also be done using specially formulated creams and treatments that can help break down and soften the thick hard skin.